16:30 Newton Abbot

Friday 6 July 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2015:5516:3017:05

Betfair & Racing Staff Make Racing Happen Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 6m 26.30s

Maid Of Milan^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: C J Mann| OR: 117| BF| CD

5/1

C&D winner here last September, now 6lb higher but looked on the way back to form when a close fourth at Perth in May. However, a poor effort last time tempers confidence a little, so has something to prove now.

Form: 3/13F-4P

Strumble Head^b²⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 115| CD

9/1

Wonderful servant to the yard, tries hard and has been rewarded with a couple of victories this spring. Outclassed last time and will find this more to his liking, and on a fair mark if he can dominate from the front.

Form: 1231-1P

Moss On The Mill^p³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 113| D

15/2

Highly tried for much of the last year and seemed to appreciate the drop in grade when third at Uttoxeter last time out. Handicapper giving him a chance now and if building on that latest effort, isn't discounted.

Form: 6/6UP8-3

Gorsky Island²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 111| BF| D

14/1

Unlucky not to get his head in front at Ludlow two starts back (beaten on the nod) but mistakes at Stratford last time cost him any chance. Fairly handicapped but does need to eradicate those errors to hold best chance here.

Form: 3PP5-24

It's Obvious^b,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 110| BF

12/1

Best effort this year came at Taunton in February when third to Muffins For Tea but two poor efforts since then, including after wind surgery last time (made favourite, pulled up). Plenty to prove now, and others preferred.

Form: 44736-P

Mon Parrain^p,t²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: G R I Smyly| OR: 109| D

20/1

Usually seen in hunter chases these days, although handicapper has given him a chance here. Stays very well, as demonstrated by his second in the 4-miler at Cheltenham in May, and may not find this enough of a test.

Form: 323P-2P

Royale Django^t,v⁵⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 107

16/1

Going nowhere quickly at present and his jumping issues still remain, so is continually held back by that. Suspicion is there's a race in him when he gets it right, but guessing when that may be is tricky, to say the least.

Form: 33PFP-7

Only Gorgeous⁸⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 107

11/1

Conditions look ideal, and he's now 5lb lower than when finishing a close second at Uttoxeter over this trip last year. Will enjoy this ground more than the soft/heavy he's been racing on and worth a look in the market.

Form: 246P43-

Jack Snipe^p³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: J Scott| OR: 106| CD

6/1

Made almost all to win over C&D last time out, despite jumping to his right. Has been put up 7lb for that, which is fair, but faces competition for the lead here and and won't find life as easy this time around.

Form: 04PU4-1

Athreeothree^b¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| OR: 100

40/1

Point-to-point winner in April 2017 and yard have done well with the runners from that sphere that go on to run under Rules. However, never got into the hunt on chase debut at Stratford last time and will need to perform better.

Form: F/15-357

Charlie Mon^v³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: Mike Hammond| OR: 97| CD

9/1

Another that likes to race from the front, but is in good form and the quicker the ground the better. Another very good effort at Uttoxeter last time, only giving best very late, and would be dangerous if allowed a soft lead.

Form: 7126-42

Fifty Shades³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: R T Dunne| T: Christian Williams| OR: 91

3/1

In good form at present, narrow winner of a handicap hurdle at Fakenham but had won nicely over fences at Worcester in May. However, up in the weights and this is undoubtedly harder, so needs to pull out a bit more.

Form: P64-121

Forecasts

Fifty Shades (3/1), Maid Of Milan (5/1), Jack Snipe (6/1), Moss On The Mill (15/2), Charlie Mon (9/1), Strumble Head (9/1), Only Gorgeous (11/1), It's Obvious (12/1), Gorsky Island (14/1), Royale Django (16/1), Mon Parrain (20/1), Athreeothree (40/1)

No shortage of pace on here, with at least three likely front runners, and it may pay to look for something from off the pace to come through and take this. ONLY GORGEOUS makes some appeal on those grounds and will enjoy conditions here. He didn't run badly over a trip too short when last seen in April and might be able to take advantage. Fifty Shades is in good form but will find this tougher, and the places may be the best her can hope for. Gorsky Island would be threat with an error-free round as well.